Gov. Perry Requests Presidential Disaster Declaration

Gov. Rick Perry has sent a letter to President Barack Obama requesting a major disaster declaration for several Texas counties due to ongoing river flooding as the result of Hurricane Alex and Tropical Depression 2. The Presidential Disaster Declaration would provide federal resources to support recovery efforts.

"Preparations by state and local leaders minimized the initial impact of Hurricane Alex, but the response to ongoing flooding in these counties cannot be sustained with state resources alone," Gov. Perry said. "I urge President Obama to grant the assistance I have requested so Texans can begin to recover from the effects of this storm."

The governor has requested assistance for Bexar, Cameron, Cottle, Floyd, Foard, Garza,Hidalgo, Jim Hogg, Jim Wells, Kleberg, Lamb, Lubbock, Lynn, Maverick, Motley, Starr, Terry, Val Verde, Webb, Willacy and Zapata counties.

Specific requests include:

· Individual assistance, including the Individual and Households Program (IHP), disaster unemployment assistance, crisis counseling and Small Business Administration Disaster Loans;
· Public assistance (all categories); and
· Hazard Mitigation statewide.